Chapter 156
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 156
The court nobles lined up on either side felt as if their hearts had stopped.
To question the imperial bloodline—and not just any bloodline, but that of the Second Prince, who was essentially the next Emperor—was a staggering provocation.
This wasn't just a suspicion of treason; it was irrefutable, blatant high treason.
"…Do you have any idea what you are saying right now?"
Cedric looked at Fritz with a nonchalant expression. He looked as if the question was so absurd that it wasn't even worth his serious consideration.
However, Fritz continued to thrust the 'truth' in Cedric’s face.
"Direct descendants of the imperial family can use the magical artifacts used by the late Emperor. In fact, all imperial magical artifacts are essentially designed for the direct bloodline."
"Silence."
"Therefore, Your Highness the Second Prince should also be able to use them. You must demonstrate your ability to use them here. Otherwise…"
"Hold your tongue! How dare you!"
Unable to endure the relentless barrage of truth, Cedric erupted in a roar. His face was flushed crimson, and his eyes were filled with a murderous intent that suggested he might strike Fritz down at any moment.
Yet, Fritz didn't even blink as he asked back, "Do you intend to kill me here?"
"Do you think I cannot kill a mere herald?"
"No. I simply wanted to say that killing me won't change anything."
"…"
"I have said all I needed to say. Now it is Your Highness’s turn to explain."
"Explain?!"
What on earth do I have to explain, and why?
Cedric wanted to scream those words, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. The court nobles were already looking at him with confused and wavering expressions.
Suppressing his exploding rage, Cedric’s mind raced. Whether the man’s words were true or not, refusing to explain here would only deepen the suspicion. He had to come up with a plausible excuse for why he couldn't use the artifacts.
"I do not know what delusion you are under, but everything you’ve said is wrong. Only direct bloodlines can use magical artifacts? Where did you hear such nonsense?"
"It sounds as though you are claiming I am mistaken."
"Anyone can use imperial magical artifacts if the previous owner grants them authorization. This is a fact evident just by looking at the armor and armaments of the Red Wing Knights."
It wasn't a lie.
The Red Wing Knights, the Royal Guard under the Emperor's direct command and known as the strongest in the Empire, were entirely equipped with magical artifacts. They were able to draw out the power of those artifacts with the Emperor's permission, and their might had been proven during the suppression of Krepelt’s rebellion.
"As planned, I was also supposed to receive authorization from the late Emperor, but there was no time. No one expected him to depart to the Eight Gods so suddenly."
"In other words, Your Highness did not receive authorization from the late Emperor?"
"That is correct. I do not know about my brother, but it wouldn't be strange if he could use them. To be honest, the late Emperor loved my brother a bit… quite a lot."
He was implying that the late Emperor might have granted all authorizations to the First Prince in advance, intending to pass the throne to him. However, regardless of the late Emperor's wishes, Cedric was the one currently in power. Mentioning the past now changed nothing.
"By the way, the more I think about it, the stranger this becomes. The Duke must have seen Sir Glen using magical artifacts with his own eyes, so why this different story? Do you intend to spread lies by taking advantage of those ignorant of magic?"
Cedric laughed coldly, bringing up Glen, who had been dispatched by the late Emperor's order. If only direct imperial descendants could use magical artifacts as Fritz claimed, then Glen’s use of them would be impossible to explain.
Despite Cedric’s rebuttal, Fritz calmly shook his head.
"I am truly sorry to say this, but it is Your Highness who is telling a different story."
"What?"
"A direct imperial descendant is like a homeowner with a key, while others are those who have borrowed the key from the owner. It makes no sense for the one who should be the homeowner to excuse himself by saying he didn't receive the key."
"So you're saying I should be able to use it even without the late Emperor transferring the rights? Are you now trying to intimidate me with fabricated claims? Ridiculous. To think you would debate the rights of magical artifacts against the imperial family."
The court nobles were at a loss as the two men engaged in a fierce debate, neither backing down an inch. Lacking knowledge of magic, they couldn't tell who was right.
It was then that Marius, who had been disguised as an attendant beside Fritz, stood up.
"If you are so doubtful, why not ask Lord Blasker, the head of the Flame School? There is no greater expert in the imperial court, is there?"
"And who might you be?"
"I am Marius, the Chief Mage of Asagrim."
Cedric’s face clouded with annoyance. To think they would abuse the authority granted by the late Emperor just for this kind of nonsense.
Taking a deep breath, Cedric looked toward Blasker.
"Lord Blasker. It seems this old man wants your opinion, so explain—"
The moment he saw Blasker, Cedric froze. While the other nobles were wavering, Blasker alone was trembling, his face deathly pale.
Marius smiled at Blasker and spoke.
"Lord Blasker. How do the imperial magical artifacts function?"
Blasker Linveil, the head of the court mages, squeezed his eyes shut.
His knowledge, which he was usually so proud of, felt like a terrible curse today. Because he knew more than others, he couldn't turn away from the truth.
"Speak with your own mouth. What does it mean that His Highness the Second Prince cannot activate the imperial magical artifacts?"
"…"
"Is it truly correct that they only function with the late Emperor's permission? If an Emperor dies suddenly without granting permission, does that mean no one can ever use the artifacts again?"
Blasker couldn't answer.
Among the countless ancient relics, no family set the ownership rights of their magical artifacts in such a way. To require the owner's permission for every transfer? If an owner died young, it would turn precious magical artifacts into mere antiques regardless of the lineage.
In contrast, using bloodline to identify the owner of a magical artifact was a common method. In ancient times, it was so common that almost every household used it.
If only I were the only one who knew this.
How wonderful would it be if he could lie to prevent conflict and deceive everyone? But knowledge regarding the transfer of ownership for magical artifacts was basic common sense among mages. Even if he lied here, it was obvious the other court mages wouldn't be fooled.
"…It is not impossible."
In the end, what came out of Blasker’s mouth was a vague affirmation. It wasn't common, but it wasn't entirely impossible, was it?
However, that vague affirmation was a fatal blow to Cedric. It was painfully obvious to everyone that he was desperately trying to cover for something that was clearly improbable.
Marius curled his lip in a sneer at Blasker’s answer.
"Right, it's not impossible. I've never seen a magical artifact with such a condition, but I suppose you have."
"…"
Blasker remained silent once more. He knew that lying would only lead to immediate exposure.
The court nobles were horrified to see Blasker unable to offer a proper rebuttal. In essence, he had just confirmed the doubts Fritz had raised.
While everyone was frozen by the unexpected turn of events—
"Seize… seize them."
"Pardon?"
"Seize them! Seize those men at once!"
A roar erupted from the enraged Cedric. It didn't matter if they had fabricated lies or uncovered imperial secrets. Either way, they had struck at the very foundation of the imperial family, an act that could not be forgiven. He would have them captured immediately and tortured until they begged for death.
The moment the knights moved to capture Fritz and his party—
"We appreciate the Second Prince's hospitality, but we must be going now."
Whoosh!
"What?!"
"A barrier!"
As a barrier appeared along with streaks of blue light, the knights recoiled in surprise. Realizing it was a magical barrier, Cedric shouted at Blasker.
"Lord Blasker, dispel the barrier!"
"I—I cannot!"
"What nonsense is that! You are a mage as well!"
"The opponent's capability far exceeds mine! Forget dispelling it, the strength is such that even destroying it is impossible!"
Blasker lowered his head in shame as he spoke. He had secretly prided himself on being one of the top five mages of the era, yet to think there was someone who had reached such a high level. He felt his lifelong confidence crumbling away.
Seeing the defeated Blasker, Cedric gritted his teeth as a mocking voice reached his ears.
"Then, we shall take our leave. I trust Your Highness the Second Prince will handle the aftermath well."
"You bastards…!"
Flash!
Before Cedric could finish his curse, a brilliant light erupted. Everyone turned away at once from the blinding intensity. By the time the light faded enough for them to open their eyes, Fritz and his party had already vanished.
In the silence, the court nobles began to steal glances at Cedric. Sure enough, eyes dripping with murderous intent were staring back at them.
"Not a word of today’s events must ever leave this room."
"…"
"No answer? Do you perhaps have family members you wish to inform?"
"N-No, Your Highness!"
"I swear by the Eight Gods, I will not utter a word!"
Cedric closed his eyes as he watched the court nobles scramble to pledge their silence. Despite their words, the secret would eventually leak. Therefore, he had to make one thing certain before that happened.
"Lord Blasker, a word with you."
As Cedric expected, it didn't take long for the rumors to spread. The court nobles were cautious, but there were too many ears present. No matter how strictly he enforced silence, information was bound to leak out bit by bit.
Furthermore, the movements of Fritz’s party were a major matter being watched by the entire Empire. Since a meeting had occurred but no results were announced, people began investigating, and before long, some nobles discovered the truth.
One of those people was Marquis Bernhardt.
"The Duke’s herald questioned the Second Prince’s bloodline? Is that true?"
"Yes. It seems the claim wasn't without merit, either."
"What? Then are you saying the Second Prince is truly not the child of the late Emperor?"
"It is not certain, but the silence is being enforced with excessive strictness, and there has been no proper explanation. If it were something that could be easily refuted, wouldn't they have actively publicized it to their advantage?"
"Ooh…!"
Marquis Bernhardt trembled with joy at the spy's report. He had never wanted to support the Second Prince in the first place, knowing the Prince would likely suppress him once he took the throne. He only chose him because the First Prince was such a disaster.
But to think there was a flaw in the Second Prince’s bloodline.
At this unexpected stroke of luck, the Marquis’s mind began to race.
If this information is true, the Second Prince cannot take the throne. And there is no hope for the First Prince, who has already lost all public support, to return.
As a result, the throne would remain vacant for a while, followed by the chaos caused by the Second Prince’s desperate struggles. If Marquis Bernhardt were to put forward a puppet from a branch of the imperial family and declare independence as a third power in the midst of that, who could stop him?
The moment he succeeded, he would enjoy absolute power as a regent with a puppet Emperor at the fore. If things went well, in two or three generations, the imperial house of the Empire might change from Astria to Roglan.
The Marquis smiled deeply at the future that sent shivers down his spine.
"The Eight Gods are truly helping me, Bernhardt."